Reasons Why RN’s Should Pursue Their BSN Degree

Do you have an associate degree in nursing?  Are you finding that the job opportunities with an associate degree in nursing is limited?  You want better nursing job opportunities, but are finding that the the doors are closed and that you need a higher degree.  A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is the next degree level for registered nurses (RN).  Here are 5 reasons you should make the jump from your associated nursing degree to a BSN degree.

Why should you pursue a BSN degree?

1. Quicker entry into the medical field – Nurses who have a BSN degree will probably have an easier time finding jobs in the medical field.  It is best to have a BSN degree to be competitive in the nursing field.
2. Increased Salary – The average salary for an associate degree nurse is about $66,000 and for a BSN nurse it is $75,000.  This is roughly a $10,000 annual difference in starting salary.
3. Future Requirements – The healthcare community and government are slowly pushing for hiring BSN nurses only.  By completing the BSN requirement before the medical industry implements this requirement, you will be ahead of the game and will not run into issues in the future.
4. Skill Level – BSN programs teach more advanced and complex medical techniques and skills that a diploma program will not teach.  The more knowledge you have the better you can treat your patients and you will have better job opportunities.
5. Career Flexibility – Nurses with a BSN degree have greater career flexibility.  They have opportunities to hold leadership and management positions.

There are many reasons like the ones above to pursue a bachelors in nursing degree.  Hospitals are pushing their associate degree nurses to pursue a bachelors of science in nursing degree.  Unfortunately, not all nurses want to go back to school for their bachelors of science in nursing degree.  They do not see the benefit in it.  It is important to inform the nurse workforce of the studies that support the benefits of a bachelors of science in nursing degree.  If hospitals provide an incentive to earning a bachelors of science in nursing degree, then more nurses will want to further their education.